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Viral lies: Facebook’s health misinformation problem

Private groups on Facebook spread misinformation on everything from autism to vaccines, with potentially devastating public health consequences. Private groups on Facebook spread misinformation on everything from autism to vaccines, with potentially devastating public health consequences.

  • Image: Evee Clobes
    Vaccines

    A mother's loss made her an anti-vaccination star. But vaccines didn't kill her baby.

  • Illustration of a computer mouse full of bleach being poured into a child's mouth.
    Autism, part 1

    Parents are poisoning their children with bleach to 'cure' autism. These moms are trying to stop it.

  • Illustration of a police officer and doctor watching as a head emerges from bleach inside of a Facebook thumb icon.
    Autism, part 2

    Fake science led a mom to feed bleach to her autistic sons — and police did nothing to stop her

  • Image: A roundworm that causes Toxocariasis under a microscope.
    Parasites

    On Facebook, fears of parasites push people to post pictures of feces and pursue dangerous remedies

  • Gif illustration of Facebook reaction emojis on a cell.
    Research

    Fake health news went viral in 2019, with a focus on these misleading topics

  • Image: Syringe
    Activism

    Drowned out by the algorithm: Vaccination advocates struggle to be heard online

  • Anti-vaccine protestors outside meeting with New York State Gov. Andrew Cuomo
    Update

    Anti-vaccination groups still crowdfunding on Facebook despite crackdown

  • Image: Amazon
    Update

    Amazon removes books promoting dangerous bleach 'cures' for autism and other conditions

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